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City of Port Phillip Memorandum of Understanding with our Indigenous Community 1999

Date: 11 March 1999
Sub Category:Memorandum of Understanding
Place:City of Port Phillip
State/Country:Victoria, Australia
Subject Matter: | Cultural Heritage | Employment and Training | Health and Community Services | Reconciliation | Local Government | Economic Development
Summary Information:
The development of the Port Phillip Memorandum of Understanding (1999 MOU) was endorsed by the Council on 16 December 1998 and the MOU was signed on 11 March 1999. In 2002 the Council launched a revised and updated version of the MOU, which consolidates and develops the first MOU's goals and achievements.

The MOU was developed with the intention to advance indigenous reconciliation. It was the first MOU of its kind involving a metropolitan council in Victoria. It aimed to formalise and put into action the City of Port Phillip's commitment and responsibility to provide equitable and accessible local government service provisions for the indigenous community.

Representatives and advocates of the project included representatives of Boonerwrung language group people, Wurundjeri elders, Wurundjeri Tribe Land Council, Ngwala Willumbong Cooperative, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, and Mirimbiak Native Title Unit. In partnership with Council, they participated in the development of the MOU.
Detailed Information:
The key issues addressed by the 1999 MOU included:
1. Lack of Indigenous Council employees to provide culturally sensitive and appropriate service delivery which contributes to equitable access to Council services.
2. Lack of local economic development opportunities for the Port Phillip Indigenous community.
3. Lack of democratic representation at Local and Government level by members of the Indigenous community.
4. Management and protection of known and future sites of Indigenous cultural significance.
In order to address the key issues, a Strategy Plan and an Action Plan were developed.
Within the Action Plan an Indigenous Recruitment Strategy was developed over a three year period. The Strategy Plan was to be reviewed annually by the ATSIC and City of Port Phillip Koorie Working Party, with six monthly reports presented to monitor the performance of the Action Plan. The Indigenous Recruitment Strategy has now been modified by the Indigenous Employment Program (2002 MOU).
Outcomes:
The 2002 review of the MOU set up a new advisory committee which is issue-based, and made up of representatives drawn from organisations and community people who are directly affected by council services and decisions

Related Entries

  • Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Port Phillip and Its Indigenous Community
  • Organisation
  • Binjirru Regional Council - Signatory
  • Mirimbiak Nations Aboriginal Corporation - Signatory
  • City of Port Phillip - Signatory
  • Wurundjeri Tribal Land Compensation and Cultural Heritage Council Inc. - Signatory
  • Ngwala Willumbong Cooperative Inc. - Signatory
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC)
  • Event
  • City of Port Phillip Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Australians
  • People
  • Kulin Nation
  • Boonerwrung People - Signatory
  • Wurundjeri People - Signatory
  • Members of the Port Phillip Parks Community - Signatory

  • References

    Debby Walker (1999) Port Phillip's Historic Agreement
    Resource
    City of Port Phillip (2002) Memorandum of Understanding between City of Port Phillip and its Indigenous Community
    City of Port Phillip (1997) Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Australians

    Documents

    Document
    City of Port Phillip Memorandum of Understanding with our Indigenous Community 1999 - Full Text Document - ( PDF | Thumbnail)

    Glossary

    Memorandum of Understanding

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